• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Santorum attacks the Netherlands on euthanasia

Puppycow

Penultimate Amazing
Puppycow
Joined
Jan 9, 2003
Messages
32,003
Location
Yokohama, Japan
Dutch Outraged Over Santorum's Euthanasia Claim

Here's his frothy claim:

Santorum said in an interview with social conservative leader James Dobson earlier this month that euthanasia makes up "ten percent of all deaths, and half of those people are euthanized involuntarily, because they are old or sick. And so elderly people in the Netherlands don't go into a hospital. They go to other country."
. . .
The Dutch were also flummoxed by Santorum's claim that Dutch elderly wear "Don't Euthanize Me" bracelets.
Click to expand...

Are old people in the Netherlands afraid to go to the hospital because they might be involuntarily euthanized?

Santorum really is doing a good job of living up to the alternative meaning of his name.

And all the Republicans have a habit of bashing Europe to pander to the republican base. How do Europeans feel about this?
 
I strongly doubt Santorum's claim. In fact, I doubt there are any involuntary euthanasias in Holland. (Unless you maybe claim that withholding treatment or food from a brain dead body--most likely in accordance with the wishes of that person or the next of kin-- is involuntary euthanasia.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_in_the_Netherlands

ETA: According to this article, Santorum is full of crap. Euthanasia must be voluntary (and is subject to other very restrictive criteria), and euthanasias in the Netherlands comprise 1.2% of all deaths--nowhere near what Santorum claims!
 
Last edited:
Well, he did say that Maggie claimed she couldn't do what Reagan could because of the NHS.

..

Despite saying 'The NHS is safe in my hands'.
 
Puppycow said:
Dutch Outraged Over Santorum's Euthanasia Claim

Here's his frothy claim:



Are old people in the Netherlands afraid to go to the hospital because they might be involuntarily euthanized?

Santorum really is doing a good job of living up to the alternative meaning of his name.

And all the Republicans have a habit of bashing Europe to pander to the republican base. How do Europeans feel about this?
Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe that a serious contender (is he a serious contender?) would talk such complete and utter tripe. Was he competing in a lobotomy competition or something?
 
Nogbad said:
I find it hard to believe that a serious contender (is he a serious contender?) would talk such complete and utter tripe. Was he competing in a lobotomy competition or something?
Click to expand...

My theory is that his quick rise in the polls, and the concomitant media scrutiny, has him slightly frightened by the prospect of actually winning the GOP nomination, and he's now doing his best to sabotage his campaign.

I wonder if he's got a book coming out soon?
 
JoeTheJuggler said:
My theory is that his quick rise in the polls, and the concomitant media scrutiny, has him slightly frightened by the prospect of actually winning the GOP nomination, and he's now doing his best to sabotage his campaign.

I wonder if he's got a book coming out soon?
Click to expand...

I actually was pondering the same thing. Ever since he's become noticed the last week or so, he's been making some alarmingly polarizing comments.
 
I think Santorum isn't sabotaging his campaign, I think he's feeling embolden by his success and kicking it up a notch. His current rhetoric isn't much different then what's discussed in this article about things he said in 2008.
 
I'm starting to see the gleam in his eye, the confidence evidenced in his speaking mannerisms, and the ability to take for granted his following that comes with the power that an audience cheering his nonsense can produce....that I saw in Jim Jones. Am I over reacting?
 
I hope Santorum sticks around awhile. Dude can't go 12 hours without saying something nutty.
 
Puppycow said:
Dutch Outraged Over Santorum's Euthanasia Claim
Click to expand...
I suggested this to PolitiFact.

Are old people in the Netherlands afraid to go to the hospital because they might be involuntarily euthanized?
Click to expand...
It is far more common that old people are disappointed because they don't get euthanised. I've never heard of anyone wearing a "do not euthanise" bracelet, but lots of people have signed "please do euthanise" papers which are rarely honoured.

How do Europeans feel about this?
Click to expand...
Oh, we don't mind. We are used to it now.
 
Don't think Santorum cares what other countries he insults, since he knows that most people that would vote for him have never actually traveled outside of North America.
 
Earthborn said:
I suggested this to PolitiFact.
Click to expand...

I bet he gets a "pants on fire" for this claim.

The closest I could find was that in 2010 there were 9 cases (out of 3136) where the protocol wasn't strictly followed. I don't know of any allegations that this resulted in any involuntary euthanasias at all, much less the numbers Santorum claims.

The 10% claim and the claim that there were cases of involuntary euthanasia are flat out lies. (I think he's trying to say that people who are old or sick--and meet the other strict criterion of the Dutch law-- aren't capable of voluntarily requesting euthanasia. Sort of like a reverse age of consent idea or some other constructed understanding of "involuntary".)
 
JoeTheJuggler said:
My theory is that his quick rise in the polls, and the concomitant media scrutiny, has him slightly frightened by the prospect of actually winning the GOP nomination, and he's now doing his best to sabotage his campaign.

I wonder if he's got a book coming out soon?
Click to expand...
There is something to be said for running with no intention of winning, and keeping all the loose change afterwards.

Ask Rev. Al
 
Senator Santorum sure has a habit of saying things that don't stand up particularly well to scrutiny, which includes his latest "wtf" over pre natal care.

I am trying to understand whether he has a strategy or not, or if his role is to get an inert voting bloc off of its ass and out to vote.
 
Darth Rotor said:
Senator Santorum sure has a habit of saying things that don't stand up particularly well to scrutiny, which includes his latest "wtf" over pre natal care.

I am trying to understand whether he has a strategy or not, or if his role is to get an inert voting bloc off of its ass and out to vote.
Click to expand...

I believe he's settled into a policy of shooting his mouth off at random and hoping his god will sort it all out.
 
TragicMonkey said:
I believe he's settled into a policy of shooting his mouth off at random and hoping his god will sort it all out.
Click to expand...

So long as his voters keep him in the Senate, he'll be able to do that from his bull****y pulpit, and the media will give him as much coverage as they can fit in.

Prepackaged controversy, no creative writing needed.

Reporters have to love this guy. He keeps them in copy.
 
The only thing I haven't been able to find is a verification that Santorum said these things in the interview. I see them in articles about the Dutch outrage, but I'd like to see a transcript of that interview.
 
Darth Rotor said:
So long as his voters keep him in the Senate, he'll be able to do that from his bull****y pulpit, and the media will give him as much coverage as they can fit in.
Click to expand...

I believe you are behind the times, there. Santorum hasn't been a senator since 2007.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom